The Strategic Planning Committee of Westminster Council met on Tuesday 27 May 2025 to discuss three planning applications. The committee granted conditional planning permission for developments at Ebury Gate, 23 Lower Belgrave Street, and 6-10 Bruton Street, London. Permission was also granted for alterations and extensions at 25-27 St George Street, London, subject to a significant financial contribution to the council's affordable housing fund.

Ebury Gate, 23 Lower Belgrave Street, London

The committee granted conditional planning permission for the extension and refurbishment of the existing office building at Ebury Gate. The development includes part demolition of the ground floor, rebuilding of the sixth floor, and the erection of setback seventh and new eighth floor plant enclosures, along with a lateral extension towards Lower Belgrave Street. It also incorporates flexible Class E floorspace for restaurant or retail use at ground level, terraces at levels 6 and 7 with greening, public realm enhancements, and cycle parking facilities.

The decision was made subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement to secure various contributions and works, including off-site carbon offsetting or a financial contribution to the Council's Carbon Offset Fund, 'Be Seen' energy monitoring, a financial contribution to the Westminster Employment Service, and funding for the maintenance of four whitebeam trees on Lower Belgrave Street. Highways works and monitoring costs are also to be covered.

Concerns were raised regarding the loss of daylight to 14 north-facing kitchens in Belgravia Court, the overshadowing of St Peter's Eaton Square Primary School playground, and the visual impact of the increased height. However, these were deemed to be outweighed by the economic benefits of the additional office floor space. The development was considered to accord with the London Plan, City Plan, and Belgravia Neighbourhood Plan.

6-10 Bruton Street, London, W1J 6PU

Conditional planning permission was granted for partial demolition of the existing sixth and seventh floors, rooftop plant room, and facades at 6-10 Bruton Street. The proposal includes extending the basement to the full footprint of the site, creating a part second basement level, and erecting extensions to the rear with rebuilt seventh and new eighth floor levels, plus a plant room. The building will be used for retail (Class E a) at ground and part basement level 1, and office use (Class E (g) (i)) on all remaining floor levels. Associated alterations include terraces, greening, cycle parking, and PV panels.

The permission is subject to a legal agreement securing a financial contribution towards the Carbon Off-Set Fund, undertaking of highways works, dedication and stopping up of the highway along the Bruton Lane frontage, submission of 'Be Seen' energy performance indicators, a financial contribution to the Westminster Employment Service, and monitoring costs.

The committee noted the Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum's support for the proposals, describing them as being of great merit. The development was considered acceptable in land use, design, sustainability, and amenity terms, with the planning benefits outweighing any potential harm to the highway.

25-27 St George Street, London, W1S 1FS

Conditional planning permission was granted for alterations to the elevations on St. George Street and Masons Arms Mews, removal of the car lift to the basement parking, and extensions at fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh floor levels for office accommodation (Class E). The proposal includes new terraces, PV panels, a green roof, planting, a new external stair, a new lightwell, cycle parking facilities, and associated works.

A key aspect of this decision was the financial payment of £4,928,000 to the City Council's Affordable Housing Fund. This payment offsets the loss of five residential units on the sixth and seventh floors, which were originally intended to be reprovided off-site at 17 Old Park Lane. However, due to changes in fire safety regulations following the Building Safety Act 2022, this off-site provision became unfeasible. The applicant argued that the proposed office retrofit, utilising timber frame construction, would be incompatible with retaining residential units. The Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum supported the application, acknowledging the exceptional circumstances.

The permission is subject to a legal agreement to secure the affordable housing payment and monitoring costs. The committee noted that while the loss of residential accommodation is regrettable, the financial contribution is considered an acceptable way to mitigate this loss in these exceptional circumstances. The development was considered to comply with relevant City Plan and Mayfair Neighbourhood Plan policies.